Vikings sign Eden Prairie native; climb up NFL power rankings

The Vikings on Wednesday announced that linebacker Michael Mauti was placed on season-ending injured reserve. The team also signed offensive tackle Carter Bykowski from the San Francisco 49ers' practice squad.

If Bykowski's name sounds familiar it might be because he's an Eden Prairie native. He played his high school football for coach Mike Grant at Eden Prairie.

He was drafted by the 49ers in the seventh round of the 2013 Draft. His collegiate career at Iowa State began as a tight end before transition to the offensive line his final three years in Ames, Iowa. Bykowski was named AP All-Big 12 honorable mention as a senior in 2012.

According to the 49ers website, Bykowski ran a 5.21-second, 40-yard dash, bench pressed 225 pounds, 25 times and showcased a vertical jump of 28.5 inches at the 2013 NFL Combine. Not bad for a 6-foot-6, 307-pound lineman.

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According to the Pioneer Press, Mauti played in nine games this season, including last week's overtime victory against the New York Jets. Mauti has a knee injury.

Vikings climb power rankings

Minnesota's win over Jets helped them creep up just a bit in this week's AP Pro32 NFL power rankings, advancing one spot to No. 22 in the league. The Packers are No. 1 in the poll and the Vikings' opponent this Sunday, the Detroit Lions, came in at No. 8.